Pressure sensor module having dual insulating substrates on the pressure sensing and non-pressure sensing sides

Abstract

The present invention provides a pressure sensor module which is capable of restraining application of a pressure of increased magnitude to a connector, reducing the number of parts therefor and compacting a structure thereof. A connector body (3a) is provided on a base section thereof with a flange (3g). An annular support (4) which is made of a material hard to be deformed under a high pressure as compared with the connector body (3a) is provided with an annular engagement recess (4b). The annular support (4) is fitted on the connector body (3a) to engage the flange (3g) with the annular engagement recess (4b). The annular support (4) is contacted on one end surface (4a) thereof with a pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate (5a) of a pressure sensing element (5) outside the base section of the connector body (3a). A housing (7) includes a cylindrical engagement section (7g1), which is curled so as to surround an outer edge of an end surface (4c) of the annular support (4), to thereby accomplish engagement between the housing (7) and the annular support (4).

We claim: 
     
       1. A pressure sensor module comprising: a pressure sensing element having a pressure sensing side insulating substrate and a pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate arranged opposite to each other and respectively provided on surfaces thereof opposite to each other with facing electrodes, to thereby detect a variation in pressure based on a variation in capacity between said facing electrodes;   a connector including a connector body which is made of an insulating material, provided with a plurality of terminal members to which terminals of a connector mated therewith are connected and formed at a base section thereof with a board receiving recess for receiving a circuit board therein;   an annular support made of a material exhibiting mechanical strength higher than that of said connector body and fitted on said base section of said connector body to contact one end surface thereof with said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate outside said base section of said connector body; and   a housing made of metal and including a receiving chamber for receiving said pressure sensing element, said base section of said connector body and said annular support therein, a high-pressure fluid feed passage arranged so as to communicate with said receiving chamber to permit measured fluid for acting a pressure on a pressure sensing surface of said pressure sensing side insulating substrate to be fed therethrough, and an engagement section engaged with said annular support;   said connector body being contacted on an end surface thereof at which an opening of said substrate receiving recess of said base section thereof is surroundedly defined with said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate;   said base section of said connector body, said annular support and said engagement section of said housing being constructed so as to provide a first engagement structure for preventing said connector body from being detached from said annular support in a direction away from said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate and a second engagement structure for preventing said annular support from being detached from said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate.   
     
     
       2. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said housing is formed with a support step for supporting said annular support thereon; and said annular support is contacted with said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate while being supported on said support step.   
     
     
       3. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said base section of said connector body is integrally provided on an outer periphery of an end thereof with a projection in a manner to project outwardly therefrom; and said opening of said one end surface of said annular support is formed with engagement recess in which said projection is engagedly fitted, so that engagement between said projection and said engagement recess provides said first engagement structure.   
     
     
       4. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said connector body includes said base section and a mated connector fit section in which said mated connector is fitted; said mated connector fit section is formed into outer dimensions smaller than those of said base section;   said annular support is integrally provided on the other end surface thereof with an engagement section which permits said mated connector fit section to pass therethrough and is engaged with a boundary section defined between said base section and said mated connector fit section; and   engagement between said boundary section and said engagement section provides said first engagement structure.   
     
     
       5. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 2, characterized in that said receiving chamber of said housing includes a sensing element receiving section for receiving said pressure sensing element therein and a support receiving section for receiving said annular support therein arranged in a manner to be contiguous to said sensing element receiving section; said support step is formed between said sensing element receiving section and said support receiving section;   said engagement section is formed by extending a wall surroundingly defining said support receiving section beyond the other end surface of said annular support received in said support receiving section;   said engagement section is curled so as to surround an outer periphery of the other end surface of said annular support; and   said second engagement structure is formed by engagement between said engagement section curled and the other end surface of said annular support.   
     
     
       6. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said base section of said connector body is integrally provided on an outer periphery thereof with an annular flange so as to extend outwardly therefrom; said annular support is formed at an opening of the other end surface thereof with an annular step in which said flange is fitted;   said receiving chamber of said housing includes a sensing element receiving section for receiving said pressure sensing element therein and a support receiving section for receiving said annular support therein arranged in a manner to be contiguous to said pressure sensing element receiving section;   said engagement section is formed by extending a wall surroundingly defining said support receiving section beyond the other end surface of said annular support received in said support receiving section;   said engagement section is curled so as to surround said the other end surface of said annular support and an outer edge of an outer end surface of said base section of said annular flange of said connector body positioned opposite to said end surface;   a gap is defined between said annular step of said annular support and said annular flange of said connector body; and   said engagement section curled and said annular flange cooperate with each other to provide said first engagement structure and said engagement section curled and said the other end surface of said annular support cooperate with each other to provide said second engagement structure.   
     
     
       7. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said base section of said connector body is formed thereon with an annular shoulder so as to surround an outer periphery of said base section; said receiving chamber of said housing includes a sensing element receiving section for receiving said pressure sensing element therein and a support receiving section for receiving said annular support therein arranged in a manner to be contiguous to said pressure sensing element receiving section;   said engagement section is formed by extending a wall surroundingly defining said support receiving section beyond the other end surface of said annular support received in said support receiving section;   said engagement section is curled so as to surround the other end surface of said annular support and an outer edge of said annular shoulder of said connector body; and   said engagement section curled and said annular shoulder cooperate with each other to provide said first engagement structure and said engagement section curled and said the other end surface of said annular support cooperate with each other to provide said second engagement structure.   
     
     
       8. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 2, characterized in that said receiving chamber of said housing includes a sensing element receiving section for receiving said pressure sensing element therein and a support receiving section for receiving a part of said annular support therein arranged in a manner to be contiguous to said sensing element receiving section; said support step is formed between said sensing element receiving section and said support receiving section;   said support receiving section is formed on an inner periphery thereof with female threads, to thereby provide said engagement section;   said part of said annular support is formed on an outer periphery thereof with male threads with which said female threads are engaged; and   engagement between said female threads and said male threads provides said second engagement structure.   
     
     
       9. A pressure sensor module comprising: a pressure sensing element having a pressure sensing side insulating substrate and a pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate arranged opposite to each other and respectively provided on surfaces thereof opposite to each other with facing electrodes, to thereby detect a variation in pressure based on a variation in capacity between said facing electrodes;   a connector including a connector body which is made of an insulating material and includes a plurality of terminal members to which terminals of a connector mated therewith are connected; and   a housing made of metal and including a receiving chamber for receiving said pressure sensing element and a base section of said connector body therein, a high-pressure fluid feed passage arranged so as to communicate with said receiving chamber to permit measured fluid for acting a pressure on a pressure sensing surface of said pressure sensing side insulating substrate to be fed therethrough, and an engagement section coupled to said base section of said connector body, characterized in that: said base section of said connector body is contacted on a distal end surface thereof with said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate;   an annular support which is contacted on one end surface thereof with said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate outside said base section of said connector body is fitted on said base section of said connector body;   said base section of said connector body is integrally provided on an outer periphery thereof with an annular flange so as to project outwardly therefrom;   said annular support is formed at an opening of the other end surface thereof with an annular step in which said flange is fitted;   said receiving chamber of said housing includes a sensing element receiving section for receiving said pressure sensing element therein and a support receiving section for receiving said annular support therein arranged in a manner to be contiguous to said pressure sensing element receiving section;   said engagement section is formed by extending a wall surroundingly defining said support receiving section beyond the other end surface of said annular support received in said support receiving section;   said engagement section is curled so as to surround said the other end surface of said annular support and an outer edge of an outer end surface of said base section of said annular flange of said connector body positioned opposite to said distal end surface; and   a gap is defined between said annular step of said annular support and said annular flange of said connector body.     
     
     
       10. A pressure sensor module comprising: a pressure sensing element having a pressure sensing side insulating substrate and a pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate arranged opposite to each other and respectively provided on surfaces thereof opposite to each other with facing electrodes, to thereby detect a variation in pressure based on a variation in capacity between said facing electrodes;   a connector including a connector body made of an insulating material and including a plurality of terminal members electrically connected at one end thereof to a signal conversion circuit and at the other end thereof to terminals of a connector mated therewith and fixed by means of said insulating resin material;   a housing made of metal, having a surface plated, and including a receiving chamber for receiving said pressure sensing element, a circuit board on which said signal conversion circuit is formed and a base section of said connector body therein, a high-pressure fluid feed passage arranged so as to communicate with said receiving chamber to permit measured fluid for acting a pressure on a pressure sensing surface of said pressure sensing side insulating substrate to be fed therethrough, and an engagement section coupled to said base section of said connector body;   said connector body being formed on said base section thereof with a substrate receiving recess for receiving said circuit board including said signal conversion circuit therein and contacted on an end surface thereof at which an opening of said substrate receiving recess of said base section thereof is surroundedly defined with said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate, said terminal members being positioned at said one end thereof in said substrate receiving recess;   said base section of said connector body being contacted at a distal end surface thereof with said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate;   an annular support made of metal, contacted on one end surface thereof with said pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate outside said base section of said connector body and fitted on said base section of said connector body;   said base section of said connector body being integrally provided on an outer periphery of an end thereof positioned opposite to said distal end surface with an annular flange so as to extend outwardly therefrom;   said annual being formed at an opening of the other end surface thereof with an annular step in which said flange is fitted;   said receiving chamber of said housing including a sensing element receiving section for receiving said pressure sensing element therein and a support receiving section for receiving said annular support therein arranged in a manner to be contiguous to said sensing element receiving section;   a support step formed between said sensing element receiving section and said support receiving section for supporting said annular support thereon while being contacted with an outer edge of said one end surface of said annular support;   said engagement section being formed by extending a wall surroundingly defining said support receiving section beyond the other end surface of said annular support received in said support receiving section;   said engagement section being curled so as to surround said the other end surface of said annular support and an outer edge of an outer end surface of said base section of said annular flange of said connector body positioned opposite to said end surface; and   a gap defined between said annular step of said annular support and said annular flange of said connector body so as to permit deformation of said annular flange during said curling.   
     
     
       11. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 10, characterized in that said outer end surface of said annular flange of said connector body is projected beyond said the other end surface of said annular support prior to said curling. 
     
     
       12. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 10, characterized in that said annular flange of said connector body is reduced in thickness as it recedes from said base section. 
     
     
       13. A pressure sensor module comprising: a pressure sensing element having a pressure sensing side insulating substrate and a pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate arranged opposite to each other and respectively provided on surfaces thereof opposite to each other with facing electrodes, to thereby detect a variation in pressure based on a variation in capacity between said facing electrodes;   a connector including a connector body made of an insulating material and including terminal members to which terminals of a connector mated therewith are connected;   an annular support fitted on a base section of said connector body;   a housing made of metal and including a receiving chamber for receiving said pressure sensing element, said base section of said connector body and said annular support therein, a high-pressure fluid feed passage arranged so as to communicate with said receiving chamber to permit measured fluid for acting a pressure on a pressure sensing surface of said pressure sensing side insulating substrate to be fed therethrough, and an engagement section curled so as to surround an outer edge of an annular shoulder provided on said base section of said connector body so as to surround an outer periphery of said base section and an end surface of said annular support; and   a ring-like packing for sealing a gap formed between said engagement section of said housing and said base section of said connector body, said ring-like packing being arranged between said base section of said connector body and said engagement section of said housing or among said base section of said connector body, said annular support and said engagement section of said housing.   
     
     
       14. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 13, characterized in that said annular support is formed on an inner peripheral edge thereof opposite to said pressure sensing element with an annular tapered surface increased in diameter as it recedes from said pressure sensing element; and said ring-like packing is arranged so as to be contacted with said tapered surface, an outer surface of said base section of said connector body and an inner surface of said engagement section of said housing.   
     
     
       15. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that an auxiliary ring-like packing is arranged between an outer peripheral surface of said annular support and a wall of said housing. 
     
     
       16. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 15, characterized in that said outer peripheral surface of said annular support is formed with an annular recess continuously extending in a circumferential direction thereof; and said auxiliary ring-like packing is fitted in said annular recess.   
     
     
       17. A pressure sensor module comprising: a pressure sensing element having a pressure sensing side insulating substrate and a pressure non-sensing side insulating substrate arranged opposite to each other and respectively provided on surfaces thereof opposite to each other with facing electrodes, to thereby detect a variation in pressure based on a variation in capacity between said facing electrodes;   a connector including a connector body made of an insulating material and including terminal members to which terminals of a connector mated therewith are connected;   an annular support fitted on a base section of said connector body; and   a housing made of metal and including a receiving chamber for receiving said pressure sensing element, said base section of said connector body and said annular support therein, a high-pressure fluid feed passage arranged so as to communicate with said receiving chamber to permit measured fluid for acting a pressure on a pressure sensing surface of said pressure sensing side insulating substrate to be fed therethrough, and an engagement section curled so as to surround an outer edge of an annular shoulder provided on said base section of said connector body and an end surface of said annular support; and   a first ring-like packing arranged between said base section of said connector body and said annular support to seal a gap formed between said base section of said connector body and said annular support and a second ring-like packing arranged between said housing and said annular support to seal a gap formed between said housing and said annular support.   
     
     
       18. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 17, characterized in that said annular shoulder formed on said base section of said connector body is constituted by an annular flange; said annular support is formed with an annular step for forming an annular packing fit space continuously extending in a circumferential direction thereof between said annular support and said flange;   said first ring-like packing is fitted in said packing fit space;   said annular support is formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof with an annular recess continuously extending in the circumferential direction thereof; and   said second ring-like packing is fitted in said annular recess.   
     
     
       19. A pressure sensor module as defined in claim 17, characterized in that a seal layer made of synthetic resin is formed so as to extend between said connector body and said engagement section of said housing.